Everyone knew Mike Quade was out the door, but Epstein waited until the proper time, flew down to Florida, and let Quade know it was over in person.

Everyone knew that Ryne Sandberg would be a hot topic of speculation when the Cubs’ managerial job opened up, but Epstein handled that the right way, too: today, he contacted Ryne Sandberg, with permission from the Phillies, to let the Cubs’ legend know that he would not be a candidate for the team’s managerial opening. Epstein wanted to squash speculation, and wanted to explain to Sandberg, directly, why he wasn’t being considered.

Wow.

Say what you will about the decision (for my part: I love Ryno, but I was never sold on him as THE guy), but clearly, Epstein is a guy who “gets it.” When Sandberg didn’t get the job last year, one of his biggest gripes was his belief that then-GM Jim Hendry didn’t reach out to him to let him know the news, and welcome him back into the fold with open arms. Epstein is clearly trying to avoid a similar fate.

Sources say the conversation between Epstein and Sandberg – whom Epstein considered for the Red Sox’s AAA managerial job last year – was professional, courteous, and well-received by Sandberg.

Well-done, Theo.

UPDATE: Sandberg explained how it went down, and how he feels about the process.

“Theo called me 10 minutes after they issued the press release [on Mike Quade] and told me that they have a list of guys and I’m not on it,” Sandberg said Wednesday afternoon. “He wished me good luck and said he hoped I got a chance somewhere soon.

“He didn’t owe me that at all. He didn’t have to do that. It was a classy move and I’m very appreciative of the phone call. In the end, I wished him and everybody there good luck.

“Cubs fans should have trust in Theo. They’re in great hands with him and Jed [Hoyer] and Jason [McLeod]. They’re heading in the right direction and they’re going to do everything in their power possible to get the Cubs where they ultimately want to be.”

I think Martinez would be a hard sell, and Maddon’s name has popped up only because rumors were the owner had indicated he would let them look if they wanted, add to that Theo’s reported interest in the past. And I threw out Madden’s name because he’s one of the glowing star managers and as more of an example. I want to be clear, we really don’t know who a manager might be, but it won’t be Black. A lot of teams have coveted Botchy, but he’s under contract and they were rumored to be interested in Farrell, so unless they can talk Toronto into it, it won’t work.

A guy that would have to be on their short list if they could talk him into it would be LaRussa. All we know is he said he retired. He’s not under contract with the Cardinals, an absolutely different bird in the sense, he’s a real bright guy, but a real piece of work. Who knows he left for a reason and his name immediately popped up with Jerry so maybe more went on with LaRussa than we know. He would be interesting in this sense, he probably couldn’t be talked into more than 2 or 3 years, but if you want a dream team, here it is LaRussa manages, Sandberg bench coach and Duncan pitching coach. Do I see that, no, but it would be a hell of a fit. I think there is a manager and it probably is someone we aren’t naming or viewing. And I buy your view on Maddon, and don’t think Martinez is likely to be the right fit.

I have to believe 3 very real possibilities are Sveum, Alomar and Hale with Sveum likely being the odds on favorite. Then again Theo wasn’t the Cubs odds on favorite so maybe we should think higher. I can see the guy being Sveum though, he checks off a lot of Theo’s boxes.

Katie

Michigan Goat, you ARE a pimp. Or, let me speak to you in your native tongue: Maaaaa maaaaa maaaaa maaa.

http://www.michigangoat.blogspot.com MichiganGoat

Ha, as a pimp I speak with my hand SLAP, SLAP, SLAP

btw Katie is now on twitter you all should follow her @KatieKatCubs

Katie

Ha! Who doesn’t love a good pimp slapping? Le sigh. That takes me back.
As for twitter (or twatter as I call it), I am a complete moron when it comes to all that. Thanks for the shout out!

Brett, how do I make a post on the message boards on the bottom right side of the home page? It says I am not able to for some reason. Thanks.

DRock

Nevermind, I just figured it out. I had to create an account.

Coach Harris

I was using the high school girlfriend analogy earlier today when I was talking about Ryno to the Cardinals with a friend at work.

I am perfectly fine with Ryno not being the manager for the Cubs. That being said, I really don’t want him going to manage the Cardinals either.

It is like an ex-girlfiend in high school. You don’t have interest in dating her anymore as you have moved on. However, you are not happy that she is sleeping with some jerk off either. It is very unsettling.

BleakNews

Is this really what we all wanted? Theo is courting Zambrano. Hello!

BleakNews

Maybe BIG Z is running the show! Millionaire and all, he might be pulling the shots.

Oswego Chris

I am now leading the Mike Maddux bandwadgon…I have a feeling he has had a lot to do with the Texas Rangers success over the past two seasons….especially since they have had Ronnie WooWoo’s long lost brother managing them….

Fishin Phil

I just posted something similar on the message board.

JulioZuleta

Damnit Oswego Chris, I am a teacher giving a test and trying to act like I’m staying busy and doing work up here, and that “Ronnie Woo Woo’s long lost brother” comment made me burst out laughing

Cubsklm

Whoever the new manager is, they must be a desciple of Theo & Jed’s Bible.
It’s not going to be an established, experienced old timer.

It’s going to be fresh blood, Sveum, Maddux, or Hale.
Or anyone else who hasn’t slept with Cindy Sandberg.

http://www.bleachernation.com Cubbie_Blue_13

Oswego Chris i agree in the sense i would like to have Mike Maddux as skipper next year for the cubs, he is a winner and knows how to push the right buttons. Who knows maybe his brother Greg could be the pitching coach.

1CubFanInPA

Ryno will forever be my favorite Cub, and the one athlete that I admire the most for the way he handled himself both on the field and off. So much so that I named my son after him in 1984. And while I wish him all the best in his endeavors to become a Major League manager, I just hope that job doesn’t end up being with the hated Cardinals! That would really test my allegiance to Sandberg and thus cause me a lot of sleepless nights, hoping for him to fail miserably.

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